Before the Winter blues get you down and the weather keeps you stuck indoors, why not play a little bingo? Or should I write B4 the Winter blues get you down… (yes, that’s a bingo joke).? Those looking to keep busy during these upcoming Winter months need look no further than their Library! The Aurora Public Library District’s (APLD) Winter Reading Adventure will begin Thursday, Dec. 1 and continue into the New Year. That’s two full months of opportunities to yell, BINGO!
This year’s program encourages participants to utilize the Library and read over Winter break by providing engaging reading challenges and activities. When students are home from school, they may experience learning loss if they don’t engage in educational activities. Libraries are part of the solution! But the Winter Reading Adventure isn’t designed just for students! All ages are encouraged to participate in order to improve themselves and sharpen their minds. Research shows that reading improves concentration, memory, and empathy, and reduces stress, blood pressure, and fights depression symptoms at any age (healthline.com). Hollering BINGO always feels good!
The online bingo component is new to APLD this year. Our reading tracking software, Beanstack (aurorapubliclibrary.beanstack.com), has been beneficial when it comes to tracking participation in our Summer Reading programs. This year, the software introduced a bingo format that we are excited to try out. Senior manager of Children’s Services, Monica Boyer, helped assign the bingo activities.
“Our Library staff loved the idea of using a bingo card as it’s fun for all! Tying in Winter and reading activities really brought it all together.” Those who have used Beanstack will be familiar with logging activities and earning badges through their online account. If you would prefer a paper bingo sheet, logs will be available at all Aurora Library locations. Participants are encouraged to finish their log by completing five challenges in a row (vertical, horizontal, or diagonal), just like classic bingo. Then, come back into the Library to claim your special prize!
Challenging yourself to complete five activities in a row will be a great opportunity to try new Library resources and services. Some activities on the bingo card include visiting our databases such as Hoopla, Teachables, Libby, or Pronunciator. These databases allow you to watch movies, download educational worksheets, read eBooks, and learn a new language! Your APLD Library card gives you access to these and more. There are fun family activities included on the bingo sheet, such as playing board games, making paper snowflakes, and viewing holiday light decorations. Of course, if you just want to read or listen to audiobooks, you can do that as well.
Sign up anytime between December 1, and January 31, 2023 by visiting one of our four locations, Santori Library, Eola Road Branch, West Branch and the Bookmobile, or by visiting our website. Participants can look forward to learning more about the Library in the Winter, while having the option to choose multigenerational activities for the whole family to complete together. Please see www.aurorapubliclibrary.org/wra for more information and a list of events that tie into the program. When we hear you yell BINGO in the Library stacks, we’ll know what you’re up to!
Andrea Tiberi is the communications coordinator for the Aurora Public Library District.